The return of Miranda Priestly to the helm of the fashion world has proven to be as much of a financial masterstroke as it is a cinematic event. As the sequel to the 2006 hit continues to dominate global screens, new details have emerged regarding the The Devil Wears Prada 2 salaries, revealing a rare instance of pay parity among Hollywood’s top-tier leading ladies.
In a move that reflects a shifting tide in industry negotiations, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt have reportedly secured identical upfront paydays for their return to the franchise. While Streep remains the central pillar of the production, the financial structure of the deal suggests a collaborative approach to wealth that is seldom seen in high-stakes studio contracts.
The sequel, directed by David Frankel and distributed by 20th Century Studios, has already seen significant commercial success. With a global box office currently exceeding $300 million, the film’s financial performance is triggering a series of lucrative bonuses for its primary cast, potentially pushing their total earnings far beyond their initial contracts.
The ‘Favored Nations’ Deal: A New Standard for Parity
At the heart of the cast’s compensation is a “favored nations” agreement, a contractual clause that ensures multiple actors are paid the same rate and receive the same perks. According to reports from Variety, Meryl Streep, who reprises her role as the formidable Miranda Priestly, fetched an upfront payment of $12.5 million. While sources indicate that Streep’s pedigree and market value could have commanded an even higher figure, she instead brokered a deal that extended the same $12.5 million check to her co-stars, Anne Hathaway (Andrea Sachs) and Emily Blunt (Emily Charlton).
This arrangement is particularly notable given the traditional hierarchy of Hollywood pay scales, where the lead star typically earns a significantly higher base salary than the supporting cast. By utilizing a favored nations clause, Streep effectively eliminated the pay gap between the three women, honoring the ensemble chemistry that defined the original film two decades ago.
Industry analysts view this as a “classy move” by Streep, acknowledging that the magic of the franchise relies not just on the presence of Priestly, but on the dynamic between the editor and her long-suffering assistants. The decision to share the wealth ensures that the “triumvirate” of leading ladies entered the production on equal financial footing.
Box Office Milestones and Performance Bonuses
While the $12.5 million upfront salaries provided a substantial foundation, the real windfall for the cast lies in the film’s performance at the box office. The production incorporated box-office bonuses that activate as the movie hits specific financial milestones.
With the film already crossing the $300 million mark worldwide, these bonuses have begun to pay out. According to details highlighted by Fandomwire, the continued success of the sequel could see the total earnings for Streep, Hathaway, and Blunt climb to over $20 million each.
This performance-based structure aligns the interests of the actors with those of 20th Century Studios, rewarding the cast for the film’s ability to attract audiences after a 20-year hiatus. The surge in global ticket sales indicates that the appetite for the high-fashion drama remains strong, turning the sequel into a significant profit center for the studio.
The Strategic Value of Miranda Priestly
From a studio perspective, securing Meryl Streep was the non-negotiable element of the project. Sources close to the production suggest that 20th Century Studios viewed Streep as the most crucial component for the sequel’s viability. The logic was simple: without the presence of Miranda Priestly, the film would lack the essential identity and authority that made the first installment a perennial favorite.
The narrative of the sequel continues to explore the intersection of high fashion, power, and professional ambition. The return of the original cast provides a sense of continuity and nostalgia that has clearly resonated with audiences. The fact that screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna had previously noted that Streep was “open to ideas” for a sequel suggests that the project was carefully nurtured to ensure the lead actress felt the material was worthy of her return.
By combining a high base salary with aggressive backend bonuses, the studio was able to secure the talent necessary to guarantee a global opening, while the “favored nations” aspect of the deal mitigated potential friction among the lead actors, fostering a positive environment on set.
Comparing the Financial Landscape of Movie Sequels
The financial arrangement for The Devil Wears Prada 2 stands in contrast to many legacy sequels where pay disputes often lead to delays or public friction. The transparency and equality of the Streep-Hathaway-Blunt deal offer a blueprint for future ensemble casts.
Below is a breakdown of the reported upfront compensation for the primary cast:
| Actor | Character | Reported Upfront Salary | Bonus Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meryl Streep | Miranda Priestly | $12.5 million | Potential total over $20 million |
| Anne Hathaway | Andrea Sachs | $12.5 million | Potential total over $20 million |
| Emily Blunt | Emily Charlton | $12.5 million | Potential total over $20 million |
What This Means for the Industry
The implications of this pay structure extend beyond a single film. In an era where gender pay gaps in Hollywood are under intense scrutiny, a high-profile actress like Meryl Streep using her leverage to ensure equal pay for her female co-stars sends a powerful message. It demonstrates that “star power” can be used not just for individual gain, but to elevate the entire ensemble.
the success of the film—surpassing $300 million—proves that the “nostalgia play” remains a potent tool for studios, provided the original core talent is involved. The financial risk taken by 20th Century Studios in offering such substantial upfront guarantees has been vindicated by the film’s commercial trajectory.
As the movie continues its global run, the industry will be watching to see if this model of “shared wealth” becomes more common in ensemble sequels, or if it remains a rare gesture of professional courtesy from an actress of Streep’s stature.
The next major checkpoint for the production will be the release of the final global box office tallies, which will determine the final bonus payouts for the cast and crew.
Do you think more lead actors should push for “favored nations” deals to ensure pay parity in Hollywood? Share your thoughts in the comments below.